"Millions" sets a dangerously high standard for every other live-action movie aimed at family audiences. Here's a PG-rated comedy that, for a change, doesn't resort to such low humor as flatulence gags.
Instead, this winning low-key British yarn is told with real creativity and succeeds by developing characters and situations in an original way. (The film is a bit odd and peculiar but without being off-putting.)
The film's title refers to money, but it could also pertain to the million-dollar smile of its young star, Alex Etel. He plays Damian, a 7-year-old boy who's just moved into a new planned community.
Damian's widower father Ronnie (James Nesbitt), and his 9-year-old brother, Anthony (Lewis McGibbon), are hoping to make a fresh start. But Damian's having a hard time fitting in. Worse, he has a crisis of conscience when he finds a bag filled with money — or to be more accurate, when it finds him.
The bag comes crashing down on a makeshift cardboard house that Damian has constructed, lost by criminals after a train robbery. This pits Damian and his brother against each other on how to spend it. Anthony races to spend as much of it as fast as he can, to earn status at their new school and purchase such trinkets as satellite phones. Damian, however, would rather give it away to the needy, such as the Poor Man (Christopher Fulford), a mysterious stranger who seems to know a lot about the bag and the money. (He also anonymously gives some to a pair of Mormon missionaries!)
Admittedly, this kind of material may seem like an odd choice for director Danny Boyle, who is best known for such decidedly R-rated films as "28 days later . . . " and "Trainspotting." And signs of his odd visual sensibilities remain, including delightful fantasy sequences involving Damian's "visions" of various Catholic saints.
There are also a couple of mildly frightening moments, but the film's insights about the true meaning of wealth make it a must-see for families.
On the acting side, the adult co-stars are solid, especially Nesbitt and Fulford, who brings just the right amount of menace to his part. But this really is the youngsters' show. It's hard to believe that Etel and McGibbon are newcomers since their work shows such confidence, free of the usual smarmy cutesiness.
Here's hoping we see more movies like this one — and that this one is seen by a wide audience. Unfortunately, it's only playing in limited run, rather than the 1,000-plus screens of so many of its cinematic competitors.
"Millions" is rated PG for a scene of violence (a scuffle) and some peril, some mildly suggestive references, and use of some mild profanity (mostly religiously based). Running time: 97 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com